Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
LOVE
Perhaps the most beautiful word in our vocabulary whose meaning in our lives varies
greatly, on a case to case basis, is “love.” When we speak of love, we think roses, hearts,
the stars, kisses, warm embrace, caring, a helping hand, and thousands little things that
make living wonderful. We know its many faces and degrees, depending on the
relationships we have built through the years. It is something that we give, regardless of
whether or not we get it back. In my experience, it’s the giving- it-away that makes me feel
good inside.
Do you watch movies because you want to be entertained? I’d say for most people, the
answer is “yes.” For me, however, I watch movies that not only entertain but express love in
not an earthly way. Probably too corny, but that’s who I am. There’s something in fiction that
causes my subconscious to believe that pure and tender love is always possible in reality.
Hey, parental love is pure, tender, and real, isn’t it?
Movies
The reason I love watching the movie “50 First Dates” (Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore),
especially when I’m feeling lonely, is that it shows a very pure kind of love that a father
(Marlin) and son (Doug) give to a daughter and sister (Lucy) who has lost her “short-term
Perhaps the most beautiful word in our vocabulary whose meaning in our lives varies
greatly, on a case to case basis, is “love.” When we speak of love, we think roses, hearts,
the stars, kisses, warm embrace, caring, a helping hand, and thousands little things that
make living wonderful. We know its many faces and degrees, depending on the
relationships we have built through the years. It is something that we give, regardless of
whether or not we get it back. In my experience, it’s the giving- it-away that makes me feel
good inside.
Do you watch movies because you want to be entertained? I’d say for most people, the
answer is “yes.” For me, however, I watch movies that not only entertain but express love in
not an earthly way. Probably too corny, but that’s who I am. There’s something in fiction that
causes my subconscious to believe that pure and tender love is always possible in reality.
Hey, parental love is pure, tender, and real, isn’t it?
Movies
The reason I love watching the movie “50 First Dates” (Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore),
especially when I’m feeling lonely, is that it shows a very pure kind of love that a father
(Marlin) and son (Doug) give to a daughter and sister (Lucy) who has lost her “short-term
memory” due to a vehicular accident. Every day, Marlin and Doug re-create the day before her accident, including Daddy’
s birthday celebration, complete with a birthday cake, watching a Vikings’ game and the movie “Sixth Sense.” The
family’s life has now evolved around Lucy, and both men are so protective of her, particularly when a playboy (Sandler)
began courting Lucy. Father and son put their own lives in the back-burner in order to care for her. They show a kind of
sacrifice not many people would be willing to do for a person. But it is the kind of love that’s unconditional and I’d say,
unparalleled.
Speaking of parallelism, I can think of my late mom who sacrificed so much for her children. When my father left the
family, my mom singlehandedly shouldered bringing us up. I remember her leaving our country to search for greener
pastures in a foreign land in order to feed and clothe her children. She refused to even think of falling in love again
because to her, it would mean putting her children’s welfare after her own happiness. It’s the kind of love that knows
no parameters, and is measured the heaviest on my love scale. There are probably thousands more like her, with
similar circumstances, but my mom was special. She imposed a kind of discipline that molded her children to become
achievers and good citizens. She taught the values that we have carried within us to this day — industry, faith, patience
& perseverance, and love for others. Now that she’s gone, her spirit lives within her children; and we are forever
grateful to God for blessing us with her.
“Forrest Gump” (Tom Hanks) is my other favorite movie, primarily because of the purity of Forrest’s heart. A village
idiot who rises to fame without him even knowing it, Forrest is continuously blessed because he loves and cares for
others. With the words of his mother as his guidance, Forrest lives a fruitful life by sharing more of himself to others—
his battalion, his country, his community. It’s as if his lack of thorough understanding of anything doesn’t count when
God sends His manna from heaven and chooses Forest as a major recipient. His love is unconditional, and again,
unparalleled. Regardless of his childhood friend’s (Jenny) grave mistakes and lack of direction, Forrest is always there
for her, till the end. I’m sure I have not met anyone like Forrest Gump in my life. All I can say is, if people in this world
are like him, then this would be a better place.
Falling in -- and out of -- love
Isn’t falling in love the most wonderful feeling on earth, especially when it’s the first time? I was a teenager and in
high school when I first felt it. I thought everything around me was beautiful, more so when my prince charming was
near. Then graduation came and I woke up as the inevitability of separation became real. College was a different ball
game and there I met more intellectuals that really challenged my capacity to remain faithful to my childhood friend.
Come to think of it, I forgot all about him amidst the special attention I received as a freshman scholar in the university.
Then, I thought I fell in love with a college professor who, unfortunately for me, soon left the country on a scholarship to
take his Ph.D in Vancouver, Canada. I never saw him again. It was my first experience at having a broken heart. I was
17. If you have ever felt the same way I did, I thought it was the end of the world.
But no, it wasn’t. Love seemed to just sprout like little seedlings everywhere. Maybe I looked great in my youth! My
future husband (a college senior then) came into the picture and in two years, I was married. We were married on
Valentines Day, exactly 40 years ago this year!! I must admit that it was physical-and-intellectual attraction that drew us
together at first. We were so in love, and the first few years together were happy ones. But like many others, love just
s birthday celebration, complete with a birthday cake, watching a Vikings’ game and the movie “Sixth Sense.” The
family’s life has now evolved around Lucy, and both men are so protective of her, particularly when a playboy (Sandler)
began courting Lucy. Father and son put their own lives in the back-burner in order to care for her. They show a kind of
sacrifice not many people would be willing to do for a person. But it is the kind of love that’s unconditional and I’d say,
unparalleled.
Speaking of parallelism, I can think of my late mom who sacrificed so much for her children. When my father left the
family, my mom singlehandedly shouldered bringing us up. I remember her leaving our country to search for greener
pastures in a foreign land in order to feed and clothe her children. She refused to even think of falling in love again
because to her, it would mean putting her children’s welfare after her own happiness. It’s the kind of love that knows
no parameters, and is measured the heaviest on my love scale. There are probably thousands more like her, with
similar circumstances, but my mom was special. She imposed a kind of discipline that molded her children to become
achievers and good citizens. She taught the values that we have carried within us to this day — industry, faith, patience
& perseverance, and love for others. Now that she’s gone, her spirit lives within her children; and we are forever
grateful to God for blessing us with her.
“Forrest Gump” (Tom Hanks) is my other favorite movie, primarily because of the purity of Forrest’s heart. A village
idiot who rises to fame without him even knowing it, Forrest is continuously blessed because he loves and cares for
others. With the words of his mother as his guidance, Forrest lives a fruitful life by sharing more of himself to others—
his battalion, his country, his community. It’s as if his lack of thorough understanding of anything doesn’t count when
God sends His manna from heaven and chooses Forest as a major recipient. His love is unconditional, and again,
unparalleled. Regardless of his childhood friend’s (Jenny) grave mistakes and lack of direction, Forrest is always there
for her, till the end. I’m sure I have not met anyone like Forrest Gump in my life. All I can say is, if people in this world
are like him, then this would be a better place.
Falling in -- and out of -- love
Isn’t falling in love the most wonderful feeling on earth, especially when it’s the first time? I was a teenager and in
high school when I first felt it. I thought everything around me was beautiful, more so when my prince charming was
near. Then graduation came and I woke up as the inevitability of separation became real. College was a different ball
game and there I met more intellectuals that really challenged my capacity to remain faithful to my childhood friend.
Come to think of it, I forgot all about him amidst the special attention I received as a freshman scholar in the university.
Then, I thought I fell in love with a college professor who, unfortunately for me, soon left the country on a scholarship to
take his Ph.D in Vancouver, Canada. I never saw him again. It was my first experience at having a broken heart. I was
17. If you have ever felt the same way I did, I thought it was the end of the world.
But no, it wasn’t. Love seemed to just sprout like little seedlings everywhere. Maybe I looked great in my youth! My
future husband (a college senior then) came into the picture and in two years, I was married. We were married on
Valentines Day, exactly 40 years ago this year!! I must admit that it was physical-and-intellectual attraction that drew us
together at first. We were so in love, and the first few years together were happy ones. But like many others, love just
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seemed to fade as the years
went by. What kept the
relationship going for many years
were the children. I’m sure both
of us made the effort to make our
marriage work. However, we
were both busy building our own
careers, and in the end, we just
drifted apart. Looking back, I have
no regrets. Love is wonderful
while it lasts...
For those of you couples who
are still in love with each other
after many years of togetherness,
I salute you. There’s probably
nothing more beautiful and
meaningful in life than faithful
love – the commitment to love
and care for each other “till death
do you part.” But it is also
important to remain true to your
heart and feel happy at the same
time.
We are all on a journey, and
we meet people along the way.
Some relationships last a brief
moment while some last a
lifetime. I've had my share of both.
Happy loving!!
went by. What kept the
relationship going for many years
were the children. I’m sure both
of us made the effort to make our
marriage work. However, we
were both busy building our own
careers, and in the end, we just
drifted apart. Looking back, I have
no regrets. Love is wonderful
while it lasts...
For those of you couples who
are still in love with each other
after many years of togetherness,
I salute you. There’s probably
nothing more beautiful and
meaningful in life than faithful
love – the commitment to love
and care for each other “till death
do you part.” But it is also
important to remain true to your
heart and feel happy at the same
time.
We are all on a journey, and
we meet people along the way.
Some relationships last a brief
moment while some last a
lifetime. I've had my share of both.
Happy loving!!
